Huna: Introduction to Huna

By Peggy Jentoft

Huna is a powerful and transformational system of practices, teachings, philosophies, energy work and more. The word huna means (among other things) "secret," and may not have been used as the name of this spiritual path until modern times. The word Kahuna can mean keeper of the Secret, but is more often defined as expert and could refer to an expert in any field.

 Huna is not a religion at all. It is a remarkably freeing experience that expresses itself in every moment and action of life with great joy. The psychological insights alone are certainly among the most complete, effective and profound available on this planet today.

 Practicing Huna can lead to great joy and emotional strength, and an awareness of the nurturing nature of the Earth, an amazing experience of wholeness and connectedness that becomes over time your most natural state of mind. While it is often called a "psycho-spiritual" tradition and is also often classed as shamanic, Huna and Kahuna teachings are not easily defined and can never be confined in any one definition. The Hawaiian language is complex and multi-layered; one word can have a multitude of meanings. This is quite important in exploring these traditions because one word may expand to conceal/reveal volumes of meaning.

 Huna is primarily an experience rather than an intellectual pursuit, though all aspects of self and reality are honored and harmonized. The mind, the body and the spirit are given equal weight. Harmonizing the three of four selves (including the higher spiritual realities as well as the personal reality and outer realities and realms) is in many Huna traditions of major importance.

 I feel strongly that there are no secrets now. I am assured that protection is a given and that harm will not arise from considered practice and study of these "secrets." As we humankind evolve in the dramatic beginnings of the "New Age," we will all become able to connect with the spiritual realities and formerly hidden information at will. I am certain that if you have found your way here, you are meant to be here. While this may seem rather sparse information at this time, it may be more than is given in a traditional introduction to Huna, particularly as historically an initiate would be immersed in Huna from birth and would have acquired much experience even before becoming aware of it consciously. The Hawaiian language is deeply layered with meaning; the full and complete understanding of the principles could take a lifetime of exploration.

 One meaning of the word Huna is "secret" or "hidden." This is in the sense of sacred, and principles were revealed or revealed themselves only after much care and preparation. Traditionally, a teacher would give hints and guidance that allowed students to discover a principle for themselves. Then the teacher would confirm the understanding. These practices have been suppressed for many centuries and are now being revealed from the many places they have been kept safe. Much of what we know of Huna is from the language studies and deep spiritual research of Max Freedom Long, who did much to recover the lost philosophies preserved in ancient Hawaiian records. Also, a very few of the remaining kahuna have been willing to share a little of this wisdom with outsiders. The Aumakua, the ancestors and guardian spirits of these sacred and practical teachings, have also been generous. Huna is universal.

 It is very difficult to explain what Huna is, perhaps in part because of the tradition of secrecy, but more because it is better experienced than explained. Rather than relying on intellectual definitions, in most Kahuna practices, wisdom is developed by practicing exercises, meditations, energy work, chanting, sacred dance, trance visualizations or other components of specific schools and families of practice. Most of my experience is internal and spiritual, and goes beyond language. For myself and many others, the magic works. We become happy, we become wiser, we are able to manifest our dreams, we have an understanding of how it all really works, we are connected and embraced by the Earth and all the beings that live on and in our world.

 I have read books and continue to study other schools and systems of Huna, and have been fortunate enough to encounter practitioners of many paths of huna who have been extraordinarily willing to share teachings and insights. I have been told by some people who specialize in past life work that this is by no means my first encounter with these practices. Certainly the experience of Huna has the feel of a lost treasure recovered.

 The Huna philosophy teaches that the key to living a fulfilled life lies in the awakening and integration of your subconscious self, conscious self and higher self. It offers us a vision of life centered in Love, a way of the heart with Humankind, Nature, and the Divine as harmonious parts of a cosmic community. This is not to say that the body, mind and spirit are separate entities in the first place, but the illusion of separation is often prevalent in "Western" thought. A basic rule of Huna is distilled as "NO HURT, NO SIN." Huna is universal in scope. Legend traces Huna back to Lemuria. It is most certainly among the oldest of spiritual teachings preserved and alive on this planet today, and is a treasure trove of practical wisdom and spiritual insight.

 Huna is centered in the here and now. It deals with the mundane day-to-day reality in the physical world while also helping practitioners to reach states of great awareness and clarity. The practice of Huna produces results in personal growth, greater happiness and the ability to affect the environment in a positive way. The unseen forces that produce these effects are quite real.

 The life force is called Mana, and learning to build up and use Mana allows you to do healing and manifest changes in your life. There are many schools of Huna. Huna practice does involve direct contact with spiritual guides and energies and great intuitive awakening. The use of chanting, breath work, meditation and energy work is common to many Huna traditions. Some include initiation practices and attunements to the aura to assist the student in connecting with the spiritual forces involved. Huna taught about the power of the subconscious centuries before the Western recognition of psychology, and has effective therapies for many of the emotional and mental distresses common today.

 Huna is wonderful for emotional healing. Huna practice leads rapidly to a real feeling of being blessed and nurtured by the Earth and development of qualities of heart and courage, and a grounded spiritual awareness. Some Huna schools include techniques for hands on healing for dissolving emotional conflict, manifesting abundance and many other blessings. Different schools may use various techniques to achieve these results, but they all work.

For more articles on spirituality, spiritual healing and self-empowerment, see Soul Star Adventures at http://www.solarraven.com.